Mike continued. “Driver, get out first and walk to the rear of the truck. Keep your hands held high.” The driver got out and did as he was told. “Gunner, you’re next.” The gunner complied as well. “Now open the tailgate of the truck.” The driver and gunner opened the tailgate. Inside was a mix of dead, wounded, and men who had given up on the fight.
Haliday told Mark, Blake, Alan, Randy and Kevin to keep their weapons trained on them. Mike spoke again. “One by one exit the back of the truck. You must remove everyone including the dead and injured. We want you 50 feet from the back of the truck.” The militia carried out the orders.
Haliday and Chuck moved in from behind slowly with rifles ready. They approached the deuce and checked the cab with a mirror, then moved toward the back and checked the bed, which was empty except for some weapons and gear. Haliday took over from here. “I want all of you not injured to move forward 10 yards and stop.”
The men moved forward and Haliday called Blake and Mike over. Haliday told them to check the dead and injured for any weapons of any type. “Take everything off them.” After they did this, they tossed everything in the back of the deuce. Haliday told the other men to spread out 10 feet, lay down, cross their legs, and place their hands on the backs of their heads.
Each one was searched and all of their gear was removed from them. Haliday had them all bound up. He called and asked if any of the nurses or doctors was available. One of the doctors came by and had another man with him. “Who’s that?” Haliday asked.
The doctor answered, “He’s from the fire department. He’s a paramedic.”
Haliday told them both thank you. “Can you take a look and let me know how the rest are?”
“Sure thing,” they said. They did a quick triage of the men.
Sixteen militia members had assaulted them. Five were still alive, seven were dead and four wounded. The doctor said that of the wounded, two more would die within hours. The other two were taken to the makeshift hospital under guard. Haliday asked the militia who was in charge. One of the men said he was.
Haliday walked over to him, “It’s time to end this thing now. You have women and children in there. You have women and children waiting for you guys out there, and many of them are not going to see their family members alive again. If we continue, it’s going to be a lot more. You ready to help end this?”
The man looked around at his fellow militia, the dead on the ground and the two dying men. “Yes, let’s end it.”
Chapter 35
Haliday called Blake over to him. Blake walked up and they stepped aside. Haliday looked at him, “Who’s idea was that?”
Blake hesitated a bit. “Well, we heard how things were going and we got our stuff ready, we headed this way and hung out about halfway between here and the house. When I heard you call in the deuce I told them we needed to go now and we all headed this way.”
Haliday said, “Good job kid. You saved a lot of lives here. That made all the difference.”
They walked over to the militia men and Haliday called a few guys in to transport the prisoners. He looked over the leader and said, “Pick one more man to negotiate and then call in to the compound and tell them to send out two people. They’ll be safe, and if it doesn’t work out I’ll return them.” He cut the man’s hands loose and looked around. “Brad, you stay with me.” He then called in and spoke to the HQ.
Haliday listened to the conversation. “You guys in there don’t understand. These people just handed us our asses. We have 5 out 16 of us left, you hear that? Five of us. Our wives and kids aren’t coming anywhere near this place. Hell, if they are smart they left already. You understand what’s happening out here? Do you guys understand what will happen in there?”
The man continued, “Listen, they control the south end of the compound and that includes the food. You can’t get anyone in or out of the main gate because they have that under their control as well. It’s just a matter of time before they continue to march forward and then push everyone into the HQ building, where they’ll probably burn it down. Negotiating a ceasefire is the best we can get.”
The HQ replied to him. “They can bring their group in and we can talk in here.” Haliday looked at the guy and shook his head no.
The man spoke, “Listen, you’re safer out here and they ain’t buying that come inside BS.”
“All right, we’re coming out, give us about five minutes.” Haliday put everyone on high alert and they watched as two guys made their way out of the admin building.
They walked up and looked Haliday up and down. Haliday looked at them and said, “You guys want a date or what? I don’t have time for bullshit here. You guys have caused me enough grief to last a lifetime.” Rob looked at them. He knew one of the guys, but wasn’t sure about the other. Haliday said, “This is Brad, Chuck and Rob; they will negotiate along with me.”
One man looked at him; “You’re an outsider. What gives you the right?”
Haliday answered, “Listen shithead. I’m not going to explain it. If you’d rather we continue to reduce your ranks, we can end the conversation now and go right back at it. Now you can talk nice or you can go in there and explain to everyone why they are going to die. So this is what will happen.”
Haliday continued, “First, each and every one of you will surrender. You will all be placed into custody until these guys here decide who to try and who to release. They will hold the trials in a public venue with an impartial jury. The sentences they give out will be final. No appeals. There were some serious crimes committed here. That’s not negotiable.”
“Second, any and all food here will remain in the townspeoples custody and that will be distributed according to how they see fit. There is a community here and everyone will come together and share resources. You guys will be included. You will not be leaving with what you think is yours; too many people paid the price for it already. That’s not negotiable.”
“Third, your firearms will be seized along with all ammunition. Your homes will be searched.. These firearms will not be returned until they see fit to return them to you. This prevents you guys from banding together and playing warlords again. That’s not negotiable.”
“Fourth, you guys are responsible for any women and children from your group who are now left on their own. You’ll take them in and you’ll take care of them. I don’t mean servitude, I mean as part of your family. We will be checking on them. That’s not negotiable.”
“Fifth, you will provide burial for each and every person that has died here. You will dig their graves, you will bury them with respect and it will be done with the utmost dignity. You will do so at the sheriff’s house. That’s not negotiable. You have any questions?”
“I do,” one of the militia said as he moved forward a bit. “What exactly do we get to negotiate?”
Haliday smiled at him. “Your life. That’s what you get to negotiate. You take the terms and live or you roll the dice and see what comes out of it that way. You look smart enough to understand that. I’ll give you guys a few minutes to talk.”
Haliday and his group backed off a bit. There was some arguing going on for a minute, then three of the militia members walked over. “Ok, we accept.”
Haliday pointed over at the fourth man. “What about him, is he going to be trouble?”
One answered, “No he shouldn’t be.”
Haliday said, “Ok, he stays then.” He pointed; “You and you go back in and tell them what’s happening. Call me when you’re ready. We’ll walk you through the process.”